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Is Your School’s Indoor Air Quality Ready for Back-to-School?
Back-to-school season is here! In addition to lesson plans and supplies, there are important steps you and your school should take to ensure students are returning to a healthy learning environment.
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Take Action on School IAQ With These Simple Tips
Start with EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit and School IAQ Assessment Mobile App. They contain checklists for teachers, administrative staff, school nurses, and school officials that make it simple to achieve a healthy school environment. You can download the School IAQ Assessment Mobile App to complete the checklists or download them as PDFs.
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Conduct a Walkthrough of Your Classrooms. Use the Teacher’s Classroom Checklist to ensure classrooms are clean and safe. Notify facilities staff if you notice any signs of mold, moisture or other problems.
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Ensure Adequate Ventilation. Properly operating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are vital for maintaining good IAQ. Keep HVAC units clear of books, papers and other items that could reduce airflow. Facility staff can use the Ventilation Checklist as their in-depth guide when inspecting ventilation systems.
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Increase HVAC Filter Efficiency. Increase filter efficiency in existing HVAC systems by using filters with the highest possible Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value rating (per equipment specifications). If possible, increase the rating of the air filter to MERV 13 or higher. Make sure the filters are sized, installed and replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
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Speak With a School Nurse About Tracking IAQ-Related Symptoms. By using the School Nurse Checklist, your nurse may identify environmental issues in your school. For example, a nurse can record medication usage by children with asthma and identify IAQ-related symptoms. Tracking data also can help in evaluating your school’s successes in implementing safe and effective IAQ management strategies.
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There’s Power in Prevention: School IAQ and Preventive Maintenance
Schools can prevent IAQ issues from becoming costly problems through preventive maintenance! The IAQ Tools for Schools: Preventive Maintenance Guidance and associated materials can help your school district take a holistic approach to preventive maintenance and IAQ management. |
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View EPA’s Schools Technical Assistance Webinars Anytime!
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Learn from technical experts, industry leaders and model school districts. Gain recognition for your knowledge acquisition and commitment to action by receiving a certificate of completion for each training.
Healthy Indoor Environments in Schools and Virus Mitigation Our newest series of webinars covers strategies for developing comprehensive IAQ management plans to proactively prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
IAQ Master Class Professional Training Webinar Series These technical, core-competency trainings build the capacity of school district staff to start, improve or sustain an IAQ management program. Complete all 10 hours, and you will be recognized as a member of the IAQ Master Class.
IAQ Knowledge-to-Action Professional Training Webinar Series These technical webinars demonstrate how the knowledge gained in this training series can be translated into actions that improve or sustain an IAQ management program within your school or school district.
Energy Savings Plus Health Webinars
These webinars cover a variety of topics related to IAQ, energy efficiency, and preventive maintenance.
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EPA offers free IAQ Tools for Schools resources—including the School IAQ Assessment Mobile App—to help schools maintain a healthy indoor environment by identifying, correcting and preventing IAQ problems. Learn more about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance and access other valuable school environmental health resources at www.epa.gov/iaq-schools.
If you have questions about the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, please contact iaqschools@epa.gov.
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